Bristol Museum & Art Gallery has secured £3,567,713 through Arts Council England’s Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) Round 5, announced on 14 April 2026. The funding will support a major programme of essential repairs to one of Bristol’s most significant civic and cultural buildings, helping protect its historic fabric, address long-term maintenance pressures and support its continued role at the heart of the city’s cultural life.

The Grade II* listed museum is an Edwardian landmark and home to nationally significant collections. Working closely with Bristol City Council, Austin-Smith:Lord supported the development of the successful funding application and prepared a conservation-led strategy focused on repairs to the external envelope and associated historic fabric.

 

The proposed works include roof repairs and replacement, façade repairs, rainwater goods upgrades, rooflight replacement and associated conservation works to key areas of the historic fabric. This establishes a clear and deliverable approach to the long-term repair, protection and stewardship of the building.

The strategy follows a wider review of the condition and performance of the building fabric and associated building services. For such a complex and prominent city-centre site, strategic investment in the building envelope is an important step in securing the long-term condition and resilience of the building.

By prioritising repairs to the external fabric, the project helps tackle urgent maintenance backlogs, reduce the risk of further deterioration and avoid the need for more reactive, piecemeal interventions. This creates a strong platform for future phases of repair, adaptation and estate planning.

We believe some of the most sustainable buildings are the ones already standing. The retention, adaptation and continued use of historic buildings play an important role in retaining embodied carbon, extending building lifecycles and supporting a more circular and resource-conscious approach to the built environment.

For us, the project reflects a broader commitment to repair-led conservation, retrofit and the sustainable reuse of existing buildings. Through targeted intervention and long-term stewardship, historic buildings can continue to adapt and evolve while retaining the stories, identity and cultural value that make them meaningful to the communities around them.

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Shoutout to our collaborators:

Stantec (structural engineering)

RLB (quantity surveying)

Box Twenty Consulting Engineers (building services surveys)

As part of Glasgow Climate Week, Austin-Smith:Lord CEO Graham Ross hosted Circular Glasgow’s Amplifying Glasgow’s Circular Economy event at SWG3, bringing together organisations, designers, makers and innovators working to shape a more circular future for the city.

The event formed part of Circular Glasgow’s wider mission to support businesses and communities in reducing waste, maximising resources and developing practical pathways toward a more resilient, low-carbon economy.

Reflecting on the event afterwards, Graham described it as “a fab way to wrap Glasgow Climate Week”, highlighting the energy, openness and shared sense of purpose across the room.

Whether attendees were “circular economy-curious or deeply expert”, the event created space to network, exchange ideas and hear from pioneers already delivering circular approaches across Glasgow’s diverse communities and economic sectors.

 

The afternoon featured a series of Pecha Kucha-style presentations from speakers working across fields including creative industries, product design, body heat recovery, cultural venues, community gardens, built heritage and material reuse. Together, the talks demonstrated the breadth of activity already happening across the city, and the growing momentum behind more circular ways of thinking about resources, buildings and everyday life.

 

For Graham, one of the strongest themes to emerge was the value of rethinking what already exists.

“We heard about creative ways to repurpose and redefine pre-loved clothes, buildings, back courts, gardens, lights, artwork and materials,” he said, “alongside innovative ways to capture and share wisdom, knowledge and expertise to get greater things done with what we already have.”

That idea resonates strongly with our own commitment to circular design, retrofit and long-term stewardship in the built environment. At A-S:L, we believe good design should solve today’s challenges without creating new problems for future generations.

Across architecture, interior design, landscape, planning and conservation, that means advocating for approaches that maximise existing value before introducing unnecessary waste or carbon-intensive replacement. Whether through adaptive reuse, low-carbon specification, retrofit-first thinking or designing for longevity, the aim is always to create places that serve people well while reducing long-term environmental impact.

 

The event also reinforced the importance of collaboration and open knowledge-sharing in accelerating meaningful change.

“The showcase demonstrated the passionate, creative and vibrant ecosystem of circularity already active across the city,” Graham reflects, noting the importance of building networks, exchanging stories and creating platforms where people can learn from one another.

This collaborative, no-ego approach to problem solving is central to how A-S:L works: bringing together disciplines, communities and expertise to help shape places that are resilient, resource-wise and built for long-term value.

 

The initiative aligns closely with the Circular Economy Leadership Programme (organised by Circular Glasgow and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, supported by Zero Waste Scotland), which aims to connect and support individuals and organisations helping drive circular change across the city.

For us, participating in and helping host conversations like these is an important part of taking a visible circular stand: contributing not only through projects, but through dialogue, advocacy and collective learning that can help shape a more sustainable future for Glasgow and beyond.

And what we heard echoed across all speakers and topics, again and again and again, was this: It’s time to make Glasgow RE-LOVED!

 

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Links to projects and resources cited at the Circular Glasgow Ambassadors event:

Rob Morrison, Agile City:  https://agile-city.com

Alison Fullerton, SWG3 Bodyheat:  https://swg3.tv

Brian O’Reilly, EGG Lighting:  https://egglighting.com

Kate V Robertson, Circular Art Network – CAN:  https://www.canarts.org.uk

Kate V Robertson, Sculpture Placement Group:   https://www.sculptureplacementgroup.org.uk

David Cook, Glasgow Building Preservation Trust:  https://gbpt.org

Rosemary James Beith, Creative Glasgow:   https://www.creativeglasgow.co.uk

Izzie Eriksen, ApparelXchange:  https://apparelxchange.co.uk

Michael Dougall, O’Donnell Brown:  https://odonnellbrown.com

Lynne Wilson, Friends of Wilson:   https://www.friendsofwilson.com

Works are now underway on the next phase of refurbishment at the Leverhulme Building – a project that carries both architectural and personal significance for our team.

We’ve been appointed as architects for the refurbishment of this much-loved building at the University of Liverpool School of Architecture. And for many of us on the Austin-Smith:Lord team, this isn’t just another project.

It’s where some of us took our first steps in architecture. For a number of our team, this entrance is deeply familiar.

It’s where we first walked in as students. Where graduation photos were taken. Where nerves built before RIBA interviews – sat on that same bench.

To now be part of shaping its next chapter is a rare privilege.

A return to original intent

This phase of works focuses on the careful removal of a later staircase addition to the side entrance. The existing lobby and staircase are being dismantled to make way for the reinstatement of the building’s original 1930s entrance.

By restoring the original doors, windows and elevation, the aim is to bring clarity back to the building’s architectural intent, undoing layers of alteration and allowing the design to speak more honestly again.

This is about more than aesthetics. It’s about respecting the integrity of the building, and revealing the original thinking behind it.

Great buildings are never static.

They evolve, adapt, and – when handled with care – can reconnect us with both their past and their future.

 

It’s been a pleasure hosting Franke Sarfo-Bonsu from Cardiff Met for her four-week placement here at Austin-Smith:Lord!

Franke took on a personal project that challenged her to step out of the “group work” comfort zone of university and into the fast-paced reality of office life. From mastering time management to refining her skills in Adobe Creative Suite, she tackled every task with initiative and a fresh perspective.

Franke noted: “I learned a lot about office dynamics and valued my time at Austin-Smith:Lord… it was a good opportunity to take on more responsibility on my own.”

Watching students transition from “scary first days” to confident, seasoned-professional-in-the-making is exactly why we love what we do.

Good luck with the rest of your studies, Franke! We can’t wait to see where your career takes you.

 

Every city centre faces the same challenge: make movement easy, and make staying worthwhile.

In Inverness, that challenge is shaping plans for a new transport hub and civic quarter at the Station Quarter. The project brings together transport, public space and mixed-use development to create a more connected and welcoming city centre.

Austin-Smith:Lord is working with HITRANS, The Highland Council and Network Rail / Scotland’s Railway, alongside SCP and Cameron + Ross Consulting Engineers, to develop the proposals.

Together, the team is designing a place that improves how people arrive, move and spend time in the city.

‘We want to create a place that feels like a natural hub for the city, somewhere that is attractive, convenient and genuinely enjoyable to spend time in,’ says Graham Ross, Chief Executive at Austin-Smith:Lord.

 

Making travel simpler and more connected

The project focuses on integrating bus and rail into a single, easy-to-use transport hub.

This is not just about infrastructure. It is about reducing friction in everyday journeys.

Many communities across the Highlands rely on a mix of transport modes. Today, those connections can feel disjointed. The new interchange aims to make them clear, direct and reliable.

Better connections will:

• improve access to Inverness city centre
• support public transport use
• reduce reliance on private vehicles

Just as importantly, the design makes movement easier to understand. Routes will feel legible. Spaces will feel safe and intuitive.

‘This is about getting it right for everybody,’ Graham explains. ‘That means thinking carefully about accessibility in the broadest sense, mobility, sensory experience, and how different people use and move through the city.’

The team is designing for a wide range of needs from the outset. That includes people with mobility or sensory impairments, as well as those unfamiliar with the city. The result is a more inclusive and usable place for everyone.

 

A civic space designed for everyday use

The proposals also include a new civic square at Farraline Park.

This space will act as a front door to Inverness city centre. It will support both everyday use and larger events.

The design keeps the space flexible. It can host markets, seasonal activities and public events. It can also work as a simple place to meet, pause or pass through.

‘There’s an opportunity here to create a space that Inverness doesn’t currently have,’ says Graham. ‘Something that supports everyday use, but can also come to life in different ways throughout the year.’

This flexible approach helps the space stay useful over time. It avoids over-designing for a single purpose.

 

Shaped by Inverness, not copied from elsewhere

The team has studied strong examples of transport-led regeneration across the UK and Europe. But the design does not copy them.

Instead, it responds directly to Inverness.

The city has a distinct identity. It acts as both a regional centre and a gateway to the Highlands. The design builds on that role.

‘There are great examples out there,’ Graham says, ‘but this isn’t about copying and pasting. It’s about understanding what makes Inverness unique, and building on that.’

This approach ensures the project feels rooted in place. It strengthens what already works, rather than imposing something new.

 

Taking a circular, long-term approach

The project also supports a more sustainable and resilient future for Inverness.

Better transport integration can reduce car dependency and improve access to the city. At the same time, flexible public spaces can adapt as needs change.

This reflects Austin-Smith:Lord’s commitment to taking a circular stand.

The team is designing for long-term value. That means:

• making better use of existing infrastructure
• creating adaptable spaces that last longer
• supporting low-carbon travel choices

Instead of asking only what the city needs today, the design considers how it will perform over time.

 

Shaping the future of the Station Quarter

The wider Station Quarter will include a mix of uses. These may include homes, cultural and civic spaces, and commercial activity.

The exact mix is still being defined through consultation.

‘We don’t have a fixed view of exactly what it needs to be,’ says Graham. ‘The important thing is understanding what the city needs more of, and allowing that to shape the outcome.’

This open approach keeps the project responsive. It allows the design to evolve with the needs of the city.

 

A more connected and inclusive city centre

The Inverness Station Quarter is more than a transport project.

It is an opportunity to create a city centre that works better for people. A place that is easier to reach, easier to move through, and more enjoyable to spend time in.

By bringing together transport, placemaking and civic design, the project aims to support everyday life while building long-term value for the city and its communities.

In collaboration with Cardiff Council & Wates, our design team is hard at work on an exciting new residential development designed to help residents live independently within their own homes, supported by high-quality communal facilities.

The scheme comprises of 41 fully accessible and sustainable one and two-bedroom Apartments. Beyond the individual homes, the ground floor serves as the communal heart of the building, providing activity spaces, staff facilities, a flexible medical room, and a beautifully landscaped communal garden designed for socialising and support.

The entire project team is incredibly excited with the progress being made on site as we begin to see this important addition to the positive transformations of the local area take shape.

The scheme is designed to provide shared spaces, from small seating areas on each floor that overlook the light-filled atrium to the shared external garden space. The design focuses on nurturing a sense of pride and community and will open up daily opportunities for social encounters and well-being.

 

Located in the heart of Llanedeyrn, residents have local amenities on their doorstep, with the Wellbeing Hub, shops and services within walking distance and excellent links via Cardiff buses.

This project is being delivered via Cardiff Living, an award-winning development partnership between Wates Residential and the City of Cardiff Council. This ambitious programme is set to deliver 1,700 new homes across 40 sites in Cardiff over a 10-year period, and Maelfa is a proud addition to this expanding portfolio of high-quality, sustainable homes.

 

 

Congratulations to everyone involved:

Clients:  Cardiff Council, Wates Residential
Structural Engineers:  Curtins
M&E:  Hicks Titley Partnership
Light Metal Frame:  Atkin Trade Specialists
Landscape:  TIR Collective
Planning:  LRM Planning
Civil Engineer:  Quad Consult

We’re pleased to share that planning has been granted for 54 new homes at Soulbury Road in Leighton Buzzard, delivered in partnership with Peabody.

This has been a three-year journey shaped by collaboration, persistence and a shared ambition to create something that genuinely works for the people who will live there.

Rather than treating landscape as an afterthought, the scheme has been designed as a living environment. A central green spine connects homes to one another and to nature, with play, biodiversity and sustainable drainage integrated into the everyday experience of the place.

The homes themselves have been designed with future residents in mind, prioritising comfort, energy performance and long-term resilience. By embedding Passivhaus principles from the outset, the scheme has the potential to deliver warm, healthy homes with lower running costs.

Projects like this remind us that affordable housing should never mean compromise. It can be generous, thoughtful and rooted in its setting.

You can read more about the project and our approach in our blog article.